Sleeve, dispensing apparatus comprising the sleeve and method

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus is suitable for the reception of a collapsible cartridge including a dispensable medium. The cartridge and the sleeve can be arranged with respect to one another such that the sleeve can support a cartridge wall of the cartridge in at least one section thereof during dispensing of the medium. A length of the sleeve can be changed substantially parallel to a dispensing direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sleeve for a dispensing apparatus for reception of a collapsible cartridge including a dispensable medium, the sleeve configured to be arranged with respect to the collapsible cartridge such that the sleeve supports a cartridge wall of the collapsible cartridge in at least one section thereof during dispensing of the medium, a length of the sleeve capable of being changed substantially in parallel to a dispensing direction, and the sleeve being configured to expand in the dispensing direction,
 the sleeve comprising at least two sleeve segments which are movably arranged relative to one another so as to affect a change of the length. 
 
     
     
       2. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the length is capable of being reversibly changed. 
     
     
       3. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover arranged at a side of the sleeve facing the collapsible cartridge, the protective cover being arranged at least in a section between the sleeve and the cartridge. 
     
     
       4. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the protective cover is removably arranged. 
     
     
       5. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve segments are displaceable with respect to one another in a direction substantially parallel to the dispensing direction. 
     
     
       6. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two sleeve segments has a length, and the at least two sleeve segments are coupled to one another such that the sleeve segments are displaceable relative to one another by at most a smaller length of the segment lengths of the at least two sleeve segments relative to movement substantially opposite to the dispensing direction. 
     
     
       7. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of segment transition regions, one of the segment transition regions from a sleeve segment to an adjacent sleeve segment at a side facing the collapsible cartridge having a curvature or chamfer such that damaging of the cartridge wall is substantially avoided during dispensing. 
     
     
       8. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a protective device arranged in the at least one segment transition region at the side facing the collapsible cartridge. 
     
     
       9. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one sleeve segment of the at least two sleeve segments is made of a plastic. 
     
     
       10. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured to conically expand in the dispensing direction. 
     
     
       11. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a support cartridge configured to receive a collapsible cartridge; and 
 a sleeve configured to receive the collapsible cartridge including a dispensable medium, the collapsible cartridge and the sleeve configured to be arranged with respect to one another such that the sleeve is capable of supporting a cartridge wall of the collapsible cartridge in at least one section thereof while dispensing the medium, a length of the sleeve capable of being changed substantially parallel to a dispensing direction, and the sleeve being configured to expand in the dispensing direction, 
 the sleeve being capable of being coupled or decoupled to a dispensing plunger. 
 
     
     
       12. The dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is capable of being releasably attached at or in the support cartridge. 
     
     
       13. A method for dispensing a medium out of a collapsible cartridge, comprising:
 providing a dispensing apparatus comprising a support cartridge for receiving the collapsible cartridge and a dispensing plunger, and a sleeve for the receiving the collapsible cartridge including a dispensable medium fastened at or in the support cartridge, the collapsible cartridge and the sleeve are arranged with respect to one another such that the sleeve supports a cartridge wall of the collapsible cartridge in at least one section thereof during dispensing of the medium, and a length of the sleeve is capable of being changed substantially in parallel to a dispensing direction, the sleeve being configured to expand in the dispensing direction; and 
 dispensing the medium out of the collapsible cartridge by moving the dispensing plunger of the dispensing apparatus along the dispensing direction to an outlet side, while reducing the length of the sleeve during movement of the dispensing plunger, and the cartridge wall of the collapsible cartridge being supported by the sleeve in at least a section thereof. 
 
     
     
       14. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the protective cover is a protective film. 
     
     
       15. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the protective device is arranged in each and every segment transition region at the side facing the collapsible cartridge. 
     
     
       16. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the protective device is a ring. 
     
     
       17. The sleeve in accordance in  claim 16 , wherein the ring is flexible or elastic. 
     
     
       18. The sleeve in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is plastic. 
     
     
       19. The dispensing apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is configured to be coupled or decoupled to the dispensing plunger such that the length of the sleeve is capable of being reversible changed. 
     
     
       20. A sleeve for a dispensing apparatus for reception of a collapsible cartridge including a dispensable medium, the sleeve configured to be arranged with respect to the collapsible cartridge such that the sleeve supports a cartridge wall of the collapsible cartridge in at least one section thereof during dispensing of the medium, a length of the sleeve capable of being changed substantially in parallel to a dispensing direction, and the sleeve being configured to expand in the dispensing direction, and a protective cover arranged at a side of the sleeve facing the collapsible cartridge, the protective cover being arranged at least in a section between the sleeve and the cartridge.